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RoHS Is Here! (Are You Ready?)
by By Don Ballard, Elliott Laboratories
RoHS (European Union Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of
Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment)
is a directive issued January 27, 2003 by the European Commission
(EC). It directs European Union (EU) member nations to enact local
legislation by August 13, 2004, which will implement the RoHS
directive as regulatory requirements before the activation date of
July 1, 2006.
What does this mean to you, Mr. Manufacturer?
The directive is a legally binding document for the EU member
nations. It establishes regulations at the EU level, which flow to
each member nation. Essentially, each EU member government must pass
its own laws, patterned after the RoHS directive, and do so by the
July 1, 2006 deadline. The immediate repercussions of non-compliance
include fines, product recalls, market bans and damaged brand
reputations. The implications of non-compliance can be severe and
potentially impact organizations at every level.
RoHS is part of a growing wave of environmental regulations or
"green" initiatives. In addition to RoHS for Europe, there are
similar regulations being written in China and other Asian nations.
Japanese companies have created a non-governmental group to
standardize green procurement requirements. In the US, individual
states are passing laws restricting some substances and requiring
recycling of certain classes of products. California, for instance,
has mandated a January 1, 2007 date of compliance with the EU RoHS
directive. A common theme seen all over the world is the so-called
"take-back" feature that requires manufacturers to accept old
products from consumers and reuse or recycle them.
Read the
full article
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FCC Proposes Forfeiture Against Behringer USA, Inc. For Marketing
Unauthorized Equipment
Washington, D.C. --The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
today proposed a $1 million forfeiture against Behringer USA, Inc.
for apparent violation of the FCC's equipment authorization rules.
The Commission concluded that Behringer apparently violated the
FCC's rules by marketing in the United States at least 50 models of
unauthorized digital audio devices. The rules require that these
devices be tested and verified compliant with FCC technical standards
prior to marketing them in the United States.
In proposing its forfeiture amount, the Commission considered
that Behringer marketed the unauthorized devices for more than five
years overall and for almost a year after it was on notice of the
FCC's investigation, and that Behringer derived substantial financial
gain from the sale of the unauthorized devices.
Action by the Commission, February 16, 2006, by Notice of
Apparent Liability (FCC 06-13). Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps,
Adelstein and Tate.
Enforcement Bureau Contacts: Janice Wise at (202) 418-7450 and
Ava Holly Berland at (202) 418-2075.
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RoHS/WEEE: The Big Challenge! |
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If your company markets or is looking to market its products in
the EU, you may be struggling to comply with RoHS (Restriction of
Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and
WEEE(Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment).
If these new regulations are causing headaches for your company,
we want to hear from you! What are the most difficult aspects of RoHS
and WEEE compliance? Want to learn how these new regulations
specifically apply to your company? Are you making the operational
changes to bring your company into compliance?
Are you looking for professional support to help you address the
new regulations? If so, what type of help do you need? Training?
Consulting? Other services? If you are currently dealing with these
challenges we would like to hear from you. Please contact us with
your RoHS/WEEE questions and comments at
info@elliottlabs.com
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684 W. Maude Avenue
Sunnyvale, California 94085
www.elliottlabs.com
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